Erase the Negative

      Yesterday I talked about finding balance in this coming New Year.  Within that was "Nurse the Positive".  Let me take this a step further.  I am going to try and completely erase the negative.  For example:  

   God can, not He can't 
   God will, not He won't 

I will believe, because He's in charge.  

  

     Then there is what I remember my mother often telling me, "Can't never could do anything. Therefore, here again, I will try to erase the negative and tell myself, "I can, not I can't." If I fail, at least I tried. 

New Year 2023

      A new year is just around the corner.  Non-stop, many are planning their resolutions.  Mine this year will be an attempt to find "balance" as listed below: 

B e myself
A dore God 

L ove others

A ttend to business 

N urse the positive 

C heer up others 

E arn respect 

     I want to cling to Matthew 6:25 whereby God says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry..." To achieve this I must resolve to "pray" instead.   

     P lease God

     R ender what is God's to Him (It all belongs to Him) 

     A sk for God's help

     Y ield to His desires

Look Up and Praise

     Psalm 34:19 reminds us that although we all know troubles, "the good man does not escape all troubles-he has them too."  Yet, as the verse continues, God gives us encouragement, "The Lord helps him in each and every one."  Even before this verse, we are told what we should be doing daily regardless of troubles.  It is found in verses 1and 2 , "I will praise the Lord no matter what happens.  I will constantly speak of His glories and grace. I will boast of all His kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart."
So, I conclude that when troubles come:

Look Up!

          Praise!

Born Holy but Lowly

      We get excited about Christmas when December rolls around.  There is all kinds of glitter,  lights, and merriment.  However, there would be no Christmas without Jesus. Everyone expected a King, and He is One, but He was born lowly.  Not as expected.

Born Holy but Lowly

Glory, glory, glory!

The scriptures tell the story.

A child is born,

Only to be scorned.

A Savior has come,

But cursed by some.

The Angels sing,

“Behold, the King!”

Born lowly

But holy.

Holy, holy, holy!

Born is Christ,

Come to be a sacrifice.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 12/4/2022

 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 NIV 

 

The Angel to Mary

      The Christmas Season is in full bloom. Our Church service started today with a Christmas Carol.  The preacher followed with scripture beginning in the first chapter of Luke when the Angel appeared to Mary.   As I studied the reading further, I put into verse the following: 

The Angel to Mary  

“You have found favor

And will bear a Savior. 

The child will be the Son of God.“ 

Mary was troubled but awed.

The Angel said,

“Word will spread,

But there is no need to fear

The Lord will be near.

He will be with you,

And carry you through.

Your baby will be the Christ child,

Remaining undefiled.

Name Him Jesus!

He will become great, a royal king;

At birth, the angels will sing.

He will be holy,

Though born lowly.

Shepherds will draw nigh

To see this Son of the Most High.

As God’s own,

He will receive a throne,

Reign forever and evermore

After unrighteous sins He has bore.”

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  11/27/2022

 

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him a throne…and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end… Therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.”  Luke 1:31-33,35b

 

 

 

 

Give Thanks

      Although Thanksgiving is squeezed in between Halloween and an overlapping of early Christmas decorating and shopping, lets not forget that Thanksgiving is a very special time of the year when families gather to give thanks together.  Let us, also, not forget that giving thanks is a year-round activity.  

     This Thanksgiving I did not start to clean the leaves from the yard.  I wanted the fall color to lay around.  I wanted the season to feel like Thanksgiving.  I did not start to play Christmas music or start any Christmas decorating because I did not want to overlook the Season of Thanksgiving.  I simply looked forward to quality family time with loved ones I had not seen all year.   Along with good food and lots of it, my family did enjoy a good time together with much thanks for the blessing through the year.  Following is my praise and thanks to God.   

    In Everything Give Thanks

I have riches untold

Far beyond gold;

Not money in banks

But much in which to give thanks.

There is the sovereign Father

Protecting when tempests gather.

I’m adopted by the One in charge-

The One over the world at large.  

Then there is my Jesus;

A Treasure come to give me life,

To rid me of worry and strife,

To help me flourish, thrive, and survive.

Shifting through my gift of gold, 

I find a happy soul.  

I find a living Spirit

Among the treasure I inherit.

I give thanks!

I give praise

To the Father of my days-

The One who gives me riches, a gold mine, 

A sturdy supporting Vine.

I give thanks for my permanent place;

Riches by His grace.

In everything, thanks I give,

‘Cause my Savior lives.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 11/24/2022

 

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Love

1 Corinthians 13 tells us "Love is patient, love is kind,..it is not self-seeking."  Yet, love for all mankind is often hard to do.  The world is not patient.  It is not kind and most are self-seeking.  Love can be broken out many ways but today I am breaking it out as if attempting to show love toward a stranger, yet it can apply to all.  We do not know what the stranger may be facing.  Maintain patience, overlook rudeness, speak a kind word. 

L ook around and notice people and share a smile or a pleasant greeting.
O verlook a stranger's rudeness or crude remarks.

O pen up your heart. 

K eep an open mind.

My prayer today is: Lord, may all my words be kind, May I follow your example toward loving others.  Let me be patient and not self-seeking.  

Believing Is Seeing

      We have all heard the saying, "Seeing is believing!"  However, I read another this morning which  also makes a lot of sense, "Believing is seeing!"  The writer explained it, most importantly, as faith.  We believe in God and know that He exists.  He is our creator, yet we do not see Him.  But, we do see His works.  In the devotional the author stated, "Some things you'll never see unless you believe them first."  Here is where I want to take another spin.
     I have always believed in setting goals.  How can we achieve them if we don't first believe they are possible?  And by believing, we can actually see our goals turning into reality in our dreams.   By believing, then seeing, we can move forward with courage and determination to make something worthwhile happen.  Our actual success comes from keeping God in the plan.  He is the One we need to "believe in and see in our hearts and mind" first and foremost.  

Desires of the Flesh

     Most everyone knows how to “get into” the things of the flesh.  We have experienced the fact that desires in life often just drop into our lap, and once we desire something, we hunger and crave it.  We seek and pursue it.  We even invest time and effort into acquiring it.  Yet, if it is not from God but from the world, and once acquired, there is usually no lasting joy, peace, or comfort.  Sometimes it even causes pain.
      So wouldn’t it be better to, first of all, acquire a taste or a desire for what the Lord desires before we “get into it?”  Then we can place our efforts into hungering, craving, seeking, pursuing, investing, and acquiring what will actually end up providing contentment, joy, peace, and hope.

Stumble

      One day this week, I walked across the room and stumbled.  Thankfully, I did not fall although I would have been embarrassed should anyone have seen my arms going every direction trying to reinstate  my balance.  Then, again yesterday, I barely missed a fall when I stumbled down some steps.  
    Considering it, I stumble everyday.  I mess up.  I sin.  Thankfully, God corrects my stumbling.  He continues to watch over me, forgives me, and directs me.  So, what should I do when I realize I have stumbled? 

S eek God
T urn to God
U tter a prayer
M ake amends
B less others
L eave it behind
E nter into praise

Easter and Miracles

Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross.  Jesus came to die and then be raised again.  He came to take on the sins of the world and forgive our transpasses. God only asks that we believe in His Son to be saved. This great love is the greater miracle of all times.  Yet, there were many miracles in scripture leading up to the birth of Jesus and many miracles followed leading up the death on the cross.  Miracles are still happening today. Why?  Because God loves His people.

Miracles

 

God parted the Red Sea and the waves climbed higher,

Followed by a cloud in the day and, by night, a pillar of fire.

The moon was made to stop and the sun to stand still,

Giving Joshua light to win the fight with God’s powerful skill.

The shadow of the sun turned back ten steps.

This was no mishap.

The mouth of lions was shut;

Daniel lived with no wounds or cut.

Four men walked in the midst of fire;

To save the three, was God’s desire.

Jonah lived in the belly of a whale, 

Another miracle to tell. 

Miracles exist, always.

A child was raised;

There was a virgin birth

Upon the earth,

There was water turned to wine;

Yet, people disbelieve and whine.

Five thousand were fed 

With only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.

Jesus walked on the water, calmed the storm.

There exist miracles in every form.

Healing is taking place, 

Does not matter the race.

A Savior dying on a Cross

Come back to life, dissolving loss.

Miracles! 

Yes, miracles! But sinners cynical.

A miracle, forever lasting,

Within the casting-

The greatest love - forgiveness of sin

And grace through Him.

Miracles! God’s wonders;

Count them by the numbers.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 4/15/2022

 

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”  

Psalm 77:14 NIV 

 

 

 

Peter Prior to Easter

 Luke 22   

v.54 “…but Peter was following at a distance.”  Do we often follow Jesus from a distance without walking hand-in-hand.  From a distance, I could be caught entertaining strangers- gossip, deceit, fear.

 

v.55 “…Peter was sitting among them.”  (those responsible for Jesus’ arrest) Do we find ourselves sitting among those who do not love Jesus?  What do we do in such a situation?  Do we witness or deny?

 

v. 57 “but he denied it, saying, Woman, I do not know Him.”  Are we like Peter – too fearful to tell others that we know Jesus?

 

v.60 “Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.”  What does it take to wake us to our wrongs – to realize we have sinned?”

 

v. 62 “And he went out and wept bitterly.”  Sin does this to us. But it is not too late to turn around.  Jesus died on the cross with arms opened wide for the repentant heart. He offers forgiveness.

From a distance, I followed 

But I was dry and hollow.

From a distance, I clung to fear,

Unwilling to let Jesus near.

From a distance, I rebelled,

Fearful, my love for Jesus, to tell.

Being distant, I was resistant.

Passport

     Passports are needed to travel to foreign lands, but passports expire.  They have to be renewed and, often, it takes time to obtain those renewals.  They are also expensive. 

     When I think about traveling to Heaven, a foreign place for me, I am so thankful that my passport has not and will never expire.  Once I accepted Jesus as the Son of God, I obtained a permanent passport.  It never expires.  I am prepared and ready in the “blink of an eye” to travel to my forever, foreign land, a land where there will be no ills, no troubles, no sorrow; a land where I will find joy, love, peace and be in the midst of my Savior.   

     Do you have a permanent passport which never expires?  It is free.

 

Prayer Example

      I often share what someone else has written as a reminder for myself.  In the Morning and Evening devotional the author gives very good examples of a prayer life by showing how Jesus prayed just before His arrest.  It was:

Lonely- No one else was around-others slept 
Humble- He fell to His knees and even face forward
Filial- He prayed to the One, the Father, who was above and higher 
Perseverance- He prayed three times 
Resignation- Finally, "Not my will but Yours."

     When I consider the example of how Jesus prayed in His final days on earth, I am reminded how much He sacrificed for me.  In the flesh, He was lonely, burdened, and even fearful; yet, He was humble, determined, and willing to give His life for me, a sinner, unclean and unworthy.

Images

     In Philippians 4:6 we are told, "Be anxious for nothing," and 1 Peter 5:7 tell us, "Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you."

     Our weak, unfaithful flesh often keeps us from "letting go and letting God" take over to prevent much of our anxiety.  I was given a couple of visuals to use several years ago and found yet another one this morning.  Although most of my readers may already have these available visuals stored away for use when needed I am sharing again.  When anxiety starts to take over, not only pray but have faith: 

Imagine:  God's hands holding all your troubles, then walk away and leave them there.

Imagine: A box.  Fill the box with all your worries.  Lock the box and give God the key without attempting to take the key back.

Imagine:  God's shoulders standing taller and above your own shoulders.  Then visualize all your worries falling onto the taller shoulders taking all the weight that need not fall upon your own. 

Simple let the Lord take all your troubles away.  The only thing left is to praise God and rejoice with Him for bearing the load.

Psalm-Focus on God

     The book of Psalm helps me focus more on God than my problems.  I find when I thirst for Him, my heart is at peace-problems dissolve.  

     Psalms 63  gave me great comfort.  "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water "(vs 1).  "For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy." (vs7)

     

America

      I love America.  For me, it has been known as the land of the free, and nothing would make me happier than to keep it that way.  God blessed us with America.  So how do we make America greater still?  How do we keep America great?  Below are a few ideas: 

A rm America with the Armor of God
M ade in the U.S.A.
E nter into prayer
R ecognize God as the leader 
I gnite goodwill 
C hoose God first
A lign American laws with God's word

See, Hear, Speak No Evil

      Do you ever feel like the three monkeys who “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” but in reverse? 

     As sinners, we constantly do hear, see, and speak evil.  It reminds me of the verses in Romans 7:15-20, “I do not understand what I do, For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”   This all sounds so confusing, but it illustrates how we live.  For this reason, God sent Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sins.  Praise the Lord!

 

Actions I do not wish to do, 

But Jesus carries me through.

I hear, enter in, get side-tracked-  

My sins go on, piled and stacked.

I look -get enticed-

But, before me, walks my Christ.

My talk profane-gossip with my speech-

A sinless life simple not within my reach.

Evil deeds, I do not want;

They taunt, they haunt.

I hear, “Don’t look. Don’t touch.” 

My rebellious nature- just too much.

I instantly reach to seek. 

I’m just too weak.

Yet, before me lies forgiveness

Within the witness. 

Before me the silent judgment keep

As I repent and weep.  

I know, in guilty woe,

My sins are heaped upon a sacrifice.

In which Jesus paid the price. 

 

Humble

     I supposed most would call February the month of love.  However, love exist every month, and Jesus shows us the full extent of love. 

     I find in Philippians 2:8, “He humbled Himself.” Yet, in the verses between 5 and 8, Jesus existed in the form of God before humbling Himself to become man.  By doing so, He showed us what love really is, for “God is love,” and within love there is a humbleness.  

     I know that I am called to be humble and to love, but my fleshly desires and self-will hinders this action.  Only by a desire to follow Jesus’ example can I truly accomplish the act of being humble and showing love.   However, love does not stop with being humble, because within love there is also forgiveness.  In the final example and in His final hours, my Jesus exclaimed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”   

     My prayer today, is that God remove my selfish desires and help me see others in the light of love.  May God help me to rid my judgmental thoughts and ways in order to humble myself to recognize the hurts and feelings of others.  May He also help me be forgiving even when not asked to do so. 

      On a humorous note, I may be able to accomplish some of my prayer today.  I have a few advantages.  I am retired and since it is stormy weather, I will be inside at home today with possible only one contact, a caring, gentle, and undemanding husband who is also very forgiving of my ways.    

Heavenly Buffet

February is noted for a month of love and romance with Valentine’s Day designated as a special day of love.  However, every day of every month should be a time of showing love for God is love.  It was God who created the world, the months and the days.  It was and is God who creates us all.  And, it is through His love that He invites us to join Him in His Heavenly feast. 

 

Heavenly Buffet

 

God molded me from a hard chunk of clay,

Then prepared a heavenly buffet.

He formed my hands, feet, and heart;

Just a bit of His almighty art.

He breathed life into my chest,

Making me a mortal guest.

Yet, He didn’t stop with that.

He sent His Son to walk a lonely street,

To cleanse my sin, to wash my feet.

I was to learn by Jesus’s example

And taste His love within the sample.

A pathway to God’s heavenly buffet was laid

While His only Son was beatened and betrayed.

My wicked deeds and all I lack,

Jesus took upon His back.

My flesh should have returned to cold, hard clay

As Jesus hung from the cross that day.

But, that wasn’t in God’s plan for me.

He gave His Son to set me free.

No more would I be a hunk of clay.

God wanted me at His heavenly buffet.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 2/13/2022

 

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the 

Lamb…”. Revelation 19:9a KJV

 

 

 

C.O.U.R.T

     Changing a path of regret takes adhering to God's guidance.  I was reminded about H.A.L.T. which stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired when I read one of my devotionals this morning.  The devotional was using H.A.L.T to make us aware of the mental state we do not need to be in when approaching choices.  The devotional stated that "it is well worth waiting until a more favorable time."  

     After that I read a different devotional which talked about how our thoughts effect our life decisions.  Since the H.A.L.T. acronym hit home, I decided to come up with one about my thoughts and the renewing of my mind into a spiritually, life-changing thinking pattern.  What I came up with was C.O.U.R.T.  First, I will start with Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your affections.  For they influence everything else in your life."  Another version is, "Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts."  
     So, I have to think about my thoughts and how they make me feel in order to change them.  Talk it over- Do my thoughts make me feel bad? Do I like my thoughts?  Do I want to change my thinking? 

My acronym is C.O.U.R.T. my thoughts.

 

C- onfront, challenge, change your thoughts

O-bey God’s Word in your thinking
U-tilize God’s Word instead of the World’s
R-ework, renew negative thoughts into positive ones
T-hink about how your thoughts make you feel- Transform them.

Dialogue with God

All through Scripture I have found there is an open dialogue between Man and God whether it be in the form of praise or in the form of desperate need.  God wants our communication.

 

David did it,   “Hear my prayer, O Lord, let my cry come to you.”

 

The Israelites did it, “They cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.” 

 

Hannah did it when she prayed, “O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid…”

 

In every dialogue with God, He hears.  He wants us to cry out to Him.  Even negative dialogue is better than none at all.  I believe God wants to hear us lift up our burdens and complaining to Him.   God is not an indifferent God.  He hears our frustrations, and by sharing we gain the peace of God- a peace we cannot find anywhere but through Him.

No Room

      In my Bible study about fear, our leader made a statement that struck home.  She said she often asked God to fill her so full with His presence that there was no room left for fear.  I would like to take that same request to God, but also ask Him to fill me so full there is no room for loneliness, no room for disappointment from others who fail to make me feel good about myself.  Fill me so full, Lord, there is no dissatisfaction with life.  My only thirst should be for you, Lord. 

Letting Go - Moving Forward

     There is a lot we can learn as we walk across the wilderness with the Israelites.  They did not want to be in bondage in Egypt, so they stepped out in faith and followed Moses in order to escape.  During their first trial, fear came upon them and they wanted to turn back, although they knew they would, once again, face enslavement.  In fact, every encounter with a problem left them complaining.  Their wandering in the wilderness was not an easy adventure.  Every trial left them complaining and rather than preparing themselves for a future of hope and joy, the Israelites kept looking back with regret for leaving an undesirable life of imprisonment.

      We do the same today when we leave the undesirable.  When loneliness, hardship, discouragement, and other emotions come along we develop a fear of the unknown instead of letting God take the wheel to lead us forward.  We lose our hope and our joy when we fail to rely on God.  We often just want to turn back and do a repeat although we know the past was undesirable. 

     So what can we do?  We can let God be the center of our focus instead of circumstances.

                                       We can look forward with hope instead of backward with regret.  

                                       We can take the focus off ourselves 

                                       We can discover new talents, new abilities by leaving fear behind.

                                       We can continually look forward with happy expectations and joy 

God is walking right by your side, just as He gave the Israelites a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.

A Child of Weakness

I am constantly reminded of my fleshly weakness but am so grateful that God knows these weaknesses and loves me anyway.  I am also so grateful for Jesus who took my sins and weaknesses and made them white as snow.    

I was also reminded of God wink moments today.  After I wrote the following, I was searching for a scripture that went along with the writing.  During the process, I checked one of my daily devotional sites and Psalm 73:26 was the scripture for today.  A perfect verse, in may opinion.

A Child of Weakness

 

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus,

But I am a child of weakness.

Where is my meekness?

My mind deceives;

My uprightness leaves.

My heart grows weary,

Making the days dreary.

My thoughts remain evil,

Leaving the day in upheaval.

Jealousy abounds.

From my mouth comes raging sounds.

Love does not grow,

So, what do I have to show?

Although I say I ‘ve been saved,

A grateful path, I have not always paved.

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus,

But a sinner I am;

A forever straying lamb.

My shameful sin

Is continually placed on Him-

The One who sacrificed

To save my life.

And, though I fail to follow by what I sow,

My sins have been made as white as snow.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  1/23/2022

 

“My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my 

portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord's Prayer

     Prayer is powerful!  It is actually a simple conversation with God which anyone can do.  We do not have to have the gift of speech.  God just wants to hear our heart.   

     Matthew 6: 9-13 gives us a sample of how to pray.  As I read it this morning, I decided to break it out to show more of my heart to God.   

(Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.)

My Father, Holy is your name.     

To honor it upon my lips is my aim;

Within my thoughts, let it be the same.  

 

(Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.) 

Until your kingdom comes, for which I yearn,

I pray your will within me learn; 

Let it burn.

 

(Give us this day our daily bread.)

Thank you for the day and provision; 

Protection from collision;

More than I could envision.

 

(And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.)

Forgive the sin for which I’m inclined. 

Let me forgive, in kind, for peace of mind; 

Animosity to leave behind.

 

(And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.)

And, deliver me when I stray. 

Keep the evil one away. 

Help me run from temptation, this day. 

 

(For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen!)  

You, O Lord, designed the Universe; 

All things within your power to disburse.

Into your glory forever, willingly, I immerse.   

                                     Amen!

 

                 Mary Crisp Jameson  1/11/2022

Why?

Ask and Ye shall receive….  Why couldn’t I…?  Because…

 

“Because of your little faith, Jesus told them.  For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move’ and it would go far away.  Nothing would be impossible.  But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and gone without food.”  Matthew 17:20 LBV

“Go and gather all the Jews of Shushan and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day; and I and my maids will do the same, and then, though it is strictly  forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15

 

“We have fasted before you, they say.  Why aren’t you impressed:  Why don’t you see our sacrifices?  Why don’t you hear our prayers?  We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!...Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting , and you keep right on oppressing your workers.”  Isaiah 58:3 

 

“Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling?  This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me”  … No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn.”   Isaiah 58:4 

 

 

 

 

The New Year 2022

     Well, here it is, 2022!  Thanks to John Wayne, I got engrossed in one of his movies and actually stayed up to see the New Year begin.  Surprisingly, there were also fireworks all around this little country area.  .  
     With the onset of 2022, I just have to start the day with praise to my Lord for all His past and future blessings.  He has shown His love in so many ways and commands that we do the same.  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  

     I want to love more like Jesus does and like God commands.  So here is my acronym to begin 2022.

L -augh with and live in harmony with others

O- ffer love to all

V- alue everyone

E- ncourage and enjoy others